For first time in decades, annual service honors York firefighters killed in line of duty

York City Department of Fire/Rescue holds 142nd Annual Memorial Service
York Dispatch

Buy Photo

Assistant Chief Patrick Rose rings a bell after each of the almost thirty names of deceased members during 142nd Annual Memorial Service of the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo(Photo: The York Dispatch)Buy Photo

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Retired firefighter Kenneth Sheffer plays bagpipe with the Kiltie Band of York during the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services 142nd Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Officers and firefighters with the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services listen as the Kiltie Band of York plays in front of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church during the 142nd Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Officers and firefighters with the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services listen as the Kiltie Band of York plays in front of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church during the 142nd Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Firefighters and other York City emergency personnel enter St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church for the 142nd Annual Memorial Service of the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Chief David Michaels, left, and Deputy Chief Chad Deardorf, listen as Rev. Kevin Shively talks about the loss of firefighters Ivan Flancha and Zach Anthony during the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services 142nd Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Assistant Chief Patrick Rose rings a bell after each of the almost thirty names of deceased members during 142nd Annual Memorial Service of the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Chief David Michaels, left, and Deputy Chief Chad Deardorf, call the names of the deceased department members during the York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services 142nd Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo
The York Dispatch

Service: Shively, who has been the department's chaplain since 2006, said the love from the members of the department following the deaths of Anthony and Flanscha was "something to behold."

"In the weeks since March 22nd, I've never been more proud to be the chaplain of this department," he said.

Shively urged those in attendance to try not to look back and think of what could have prevented their deaths, but instead to look forward.

"It's OK to dwell on the past. It's important. But what are we going to do with today and tomorrow and all the days we're given?" he said.

Fire Chief David Michaels and Deputy Fire Chief Chad Deardorff read the names of all 20 York City Firefighters who died between April 2017 and April 2018, which included former York City Mayor Charlie Robertson and Thomas Landis Jr., who was fire chief from 1995 to 1998.

Michaels said the annual event is a way for the firefighters to remember their colleagues.

"It's something important to us that we want to continue to do," he said.

Background: Two other firefighters — Assistant Fire Chief Greg Altland and Erik Swanson — were injured in the collapse that claimed the lives of Flanscha and Anthony. They were rushed to York Hospital and survived their wounds.

Flanscha had been with the department since 1999, and Anthony had been there since 2010.

More than 4,000 people from across the country, and even Canada, attended their memorial service at the York Expo Center.

Other than Flanscha, Anthony, Robertson, and Landis, the following 16 members of the York City Fire Department were mentioned:

• Thomas F. Alwine

• Keith A. Busser

• JoAnne Borgel

• Robert F.Carpenter

• Sterling C. Dehoff

• John Dierdorff

• Philip J. Gross

• William L. Hartman

• George E. Mummert

• Ronald H. Provard

• Edward M. Roche Sr.

• Dean A. Saylor Jr.

• Frank D. Smith

• Beryl L. Stabley

• Luther N. Wallick

• John A. Welty

— Reach Christopher Dornblaser at cdornblaser@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @YDDornblaser.